Friday 10 January 2014

41st Elite Corps Clone Trooper (75035) Lego Star Wars Minifgure Review


"The droids have started up their main power generators."
"Then now, the time, is Commander"

Yoda and Commander Gree.  Episode III:  Revenge Of The Sith


The Battle of Kashyyyk sequence in Episode III:  Revenge Of The Sith lasts a little over two minutes, but what a great sequence it is.  Wookiees in full combat (proving it wasn't just Chewbacca who watched Tarzan as a cub/pup or whatever young Wookiees are called) taking on the Separatist Droid armies as they cross the lagoon in the Wawaat archipelago to attack the Wookiee city of Kachirho.   The Wookiees are supported by camouflaged clone troopers and the Scout Troopers of the 41st Elite Corps.

The Battle of Kashyyyk has not received much by way of attention from Lego in previous years so the Winter 2014 wave of Lego sets have been welcomed.

The 41st Elite Corps Troopers were led by Jedi General Luminara Unduli and Clone Commander Gree who have both been the subject of previous minifgure versions, but the Troopers themselves have not been seen in minifigure form with the exception of the Clone Scout Trooper who was released in 2005 in the 7261 Clone Turbo Tank set.  The 75035 Kashyyyk Troopers battle pack in the winter wave of 2014 seeks to address this.  The 41st Elite Corps Trooper (Clone Scout Trooper/Swamp Trooper) can be found in this battle pack and also the 75042 Droid Gunship set from the same wave.


Ever since I saw the first picture of these back in 2013 I have been looking forward to getting my hands on these, and they don't disappoint.


Just like the Kashyyyk Clone Troopers that we see in the same battle pack, the eye is immediately drawn to the yellowish/olive green camouflage printing on helmet and torso of the minifigure.
Very distinctive, something I have never seen before and accurate with what we see in the film.

The helmet piece has evolved somewhat in comparison to the Endor Scout Trooper.  I show the plain form of the Scout Trooper from 9489 Endor Rebel Trooper and Imperial Trooper Battle Pack from 2012.  How things have moved on in just 2 years.

The marbling of the camouflage colours is focused on the front and sides of the helmet with the yellowish/olive-green base more clearly seen on the top and rear of the helmet.  The visor is printed in a slightly bluish green colour.


The head piece is identical to the head seen in the 2013 Phase 1 Clone Trooper.  This is single printed to the front.  Given this is a battle pack and a number of these will commonly be bought to "army build" I find it a little disappointing that we don't get an alternative facial expression on the rear, or as we see in 75034 Death Star Trooper Battle Pack - have two differing heads in a set where we get two otherwise identical troopers.  Constructive criticism Lego, I'm not moaning...


The Torso certainly has it where it counts.  A double sided print incorporates a camouflaged mottled vest over a dark brown base layer.  A number of pouches are seen around the belt line with dark grey on the tan coloured belt.  It certainly gives the impression of Troopers travelling light (with everything strapped to the waistline), yet able to survive during extended reconnaissance missions in difficult terrain.
The Torso is a good contrast to the plated Phase 2 armour camouflaged torso on the  Kashyyyk Clone Troopers.

The printing to the front of the Torso continues onto the yellowish/olive green hips.  I'm not a great fan of the disjointing you get in printing between Torso and Leg pieces, this being the only flaw in an otherwise fantastic minifigure.

The legs are dark brown in colour and include printing to the front depicting strapping around the hips and a touch more camouflage mottling on the knee pads.
The rear of the Torso includes a combination of grey and black detailed lines outlining a small backpack, more belt pouches.  The arms are plain yellowish green in colour and hands/gloves are black.  


The figures are of course equipped with the new 2014 blaster:  not accurate to the film, but great for playability and to keep long suffering fathers like myself busy retrieving ammo from underneath furniture.

What can I say:  a very satisfying minifigure in an accessible and affordable set, steering clear of the 2014 blaster debate what is there not to like.  Good job Lego, keep it coming....

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1 comment :

  1. This year, lego really did clone troopers well. Not only are they more detailed, there's at least 5 sets with troopers in them. Being a clone in real life (501st for the win), this is an amazing year for troopers. Helmets off to Lego for this amazing year in lego sets.

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